Press release -
Snowdrops set to bloom across Scotland
Six new properties are set to join one of Scotland’s most spectacular garden festivals.
Blossoming across the country from 28 January to 11 March 2018, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival comprises of more than 50 events nationwide displaying carpets of snowdrops in their gardens and woodlands, signaling the end of winter and the promise of spring.
Organised by garden tourism organisation Discover Scottish Gardens, the annual festival is supported by VisitScotland and Scotland’s Garden Scheme.
New properties and gardens joining this year’s festival listings, including Attadale Gardens in Wester Ross, Ardmaddy Castle by Oban, Branklyn Garden in Perthshire, Broughton House in Dumfries and Galloway, Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye, and Kinblethmont Gallery and Grounds in Angus, with each hosting activities and snowdrop walks for all the family.
With research showing that around one in three visitors to Scotland make a trip to a forest or woodland park during their stay and 43% visit a country park or garden, the Snowdrop Festival - which is now in its 12th year - aims to encourage locals and tourists to enjoy the wonders of Scotland’s gardens during the snowdrop flowering period and to highlight the diversity of the country’s array of snowdrop collections.
Over the years, many Scots have fallen in love with the versatile herbaceous plant, scientifically known as Galanthus. There are now over 2,500 named varieties of the winter flower and its adaptability and hardiness means it grows in a great range of locations across the world.
Catherine Erskine, chair of Discover Scottish Gardens and founder of the Snowdrop Festival in Scotland, said: “We are very lucky in Scotland to have a fantastic climate for snowdrops, with many species thriving here and creating stunning displays. Many of the festival venues are within the grounds of some of Scotland’s most historic buildings with beautiful surroundings. Adding snowdrops to these landscapes create a spectacular sight for any visitor.”
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “A firm favourite in the Scottish events calendar, the Snowdrop Festival is always a great way to kick off the new year and encourage visitors to get out of their homes and visit one of these beautiful venues.
“The festival provides a welcome boost for attractions during a traditionally quieter period of the year and help raise awareness of Scotland’s most stunning gardens and estates.
“VisitScotland works closely with communities and businesses to showcase the rich assets, hidden gems and local stories of every region in Scotland. “
For festival highlights visit https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/scotland/snowdrop-festival/ and to find out more about events near you visit http://discoverscottishgardens.org/events/
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
- This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
2018 Year of Young People
- The Year of Young People 2018 will be the next of the Scottish Government’s series of themed years, following the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017.
- The Year of Young People (YoYP 2018) will inspire Scotland through its young people aged 8 to 26, celebrating their achievements, valuing their contributions to communities and creating new opportunities for them to shine locally, nationally and globally
- Central to YoYP 2018 will be a celebratory events programme that puts young people at the heart of its development and delivery, creating new and valuable experiences for young Scots and the wider public, with links to the inaugural 2018 European Championships.
- Over 200 young people throughout Scotland are currently being recruited to become YoYP 2018 Ambassadors. Ambassadors will ensure that people and organisations in their communities know about what’s happening and will lead on projects and activities to create events and opportunities to celebrate young people.
- The Year of Young People will have six themes which were developed in co-production with young people themselves:
- oParticipation – looking at how young people can influence public services and decisions which affect their lives
- oEducation – creating a stronger role for young people in shaping their learning
- oHealth and Wellbeing – supporting young people to lead healthier, active lives and have opportunities to learn about and improve their mental health and resilience
- oEquality and Discrimination – broadcasting the value of young Scots, challenging negative perceptions of young people, and supporting young people to take leading roles in challenging discrimination in all its forms.
- oEnterprise and regeneration – celebrating young people’s role in innovation, entrepreneurship and the Scottish economy as well as making Scotland a greener and more pleasant place to live
- oCulture – celebrating young people’s talent and contribution to Scottish culture and arts.
- Further information on what’s happening and how people can get involved can be found on the new website www.yoyp2018.scot or @YOYP2018 on Twitter.
